Milling machine



" Dec. 12, 1944. M N 2,365,075

MILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 8, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l I N VEN TOR. IFed A floss/nan WICQMM ATTORNEY.

Dec. 12, 1944. H AN 2,365,075

MILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 8, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Fred/Z Haas/wan ATTORNEY.

- Patented Dec. 12, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT orrics 2,365,075 MILLING mom I Fred A. an, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The Cincinnati Milling Machine Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application September a, 1941, Serial No. 410,013

8 Claims.

anism of the machine during a tooling operation and of means for selective determination of the primary directional effectiveness of said mecha-' nism dependent on the particular manner in which the machine is employed.

A further object of the present invention is I! for cutter l8 which is shown in engagement with work piece It carried by the table It. 1 An overarm 20, adjustably mounted in the column, has its outer end engaged in the overarm brace 2i secured as at 22 to the knee I! for supporting the outer end of the arbor ll against deflection,

The knee I3 is formed in the conventional manner as a hollow casting or unit providing space therewithin for the transmission elements diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 2. Exteriorly, there is mounted upon the knee the drive motor 23 which through bevel gears 24 the provision in connection with a mechanism forthe purpose above specified of interconnected means for automatically reversing the directlonal effectiveness of the backlash eliminating mechanism in accordance with reversals in directional actuationof the machine transmission,

' together with coupled means for rendering the backlash restraint mechanism ineffective during potential rapid actuation of the transmission,

An additional object of the present invention is the provision of a unitary self-contained actuating and control mechanism which shall be readily applicable to or embodiable in a knee or other shiitable unit of a milling machine or like contained as in housing 25 serves to actuate the main power shaft 26 which extends transversely ofthe knee element. This shaft has rotatably mounted thereon the large rapid traverse gear 21 and the c'ouplet comprising the drive pinion 28 and gear 29. Gear 29 meshes with gear 30 on stub shaft 3! which supports large gear 32 meshing with gear 33 on the squared outer end of shaft 28. Power is thus transmitted from shaft 26 through gears 33, 32, 30, "and pinion 28 to gear 34 which through overrun clutch 35 serves to actuate table drive shaft 38.

Mounted on shaft 36 is the reverser clutch 31 selectivelyiengageable with bevel plnions 38 and machine tool for efiecting both power actuation of a translatable member and hydraulic control of the various functionings thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the present 35 invention should be readily apparent by reference 39 jointly meshing with gearlll on vertical shaft ll which extends upwardly of the knee and bears on its upper end bevel gear 42 meshing with the pinion portion 43 of sleeve 44 rotatably secured "against axial .movement in a bearing portion 15 of the knee. This sleeve is splined as at 48 to the lead screw 41 to effect rotation thereof, the lead screw having a threaded portion is interengaged with a nut element designated as an entirety by the numeral 49 carried by the upper to the following specification, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings formmg a part thereof and it is-to be understood that ,5

any modiflcationsmay be made in the exact structural details there shown and described, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from or exceeding the spirit of the invention.

In the. drawings in which like reference 'numerals indicate like or similar parts:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a milling machine constructed inaccordance with and embodyln the present invention.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the entire actuating transmission and controls therefor.

In the drawings the numeral Ill designatesthe base of a milling machine having rising therefrom the column unit ll provided with ways I2- 55 for the vertically adiustable knee unit. l3 pro vided on its upper surface with ways l4 for the translatable table or work supporting member ll. Motmted in the column adjacent the table is an adjustable quill it supporting the arbor axial movement with respect to the table l5.

face of the knee. The screw has its ends mounted as by anti-friction bearings ill in the ends of the table ii for rotation while restrained from p Additionally, there is splined on shaft 26 clutch ii for coupling gear 2'! in driving relation to the shaft. This gear 21 meshes with gear 52 on shaft 38, the overrunning clutch 35-permitting speeding up of shaft 36 through this latter drive to eifect rapid traverse movement of the table when clutch BI is engaged.

For determining the effective positioning of this having a portion engaged in notch 54 of rapid traverse plunger 55 having a terminal portion 56 engageable by adjustable rapid traverse dogs, such as 51. Spring 58 normally urges the plunger into its lower or depressed position rendering clutch 5| ineffective so that the parts may operate at a feeding 'rate'. The rapid traverse clutch is manually shifted into engaging Position by actuation toward the left of lever 59 carried by the front of the knee operating through arm 60 on *9 shaft 61 of hell crank sa asainstaction of sprin clutch there is provided the bell crank shifter 53 l 88 which discontinues the rapid traverse effect when the lever is released.

Safety dogs, such as 81, adiustably mounted on table l8, extend in position to engage the plunger when raised automatically to depress it against the manual actuation to prevent the work being brought rapidly into engagement with the cutting tool. The forward portion of the knee is additionally provided with an oscillating plunger 82 controllable as by manual actuation of handle 88 or alternatively by engagement of trip dogs, such as 88, with wings 88 on the plunger for effecting reversal of movement of the table. By reference to Figure 2 it will be noted that shaft 28 is provided with an eccentric 88 actuating the pump piston 81 which draws hydraulic medium from the reservoir 88 through check valve 88 and forces same past check valve 18 into the hydraulic power line II of the control mechanism which has coupled in parallel therewith the accumulator l2 limiting the extent of pressure built up and maintaining the pressure condition during the suction stroke of the pump. The conduit or pressure line H has a pair of branches l8 and 18 coupled with the casing 18 of' the reversing valve plunger 18 which is manually actuable as by the pin and slot connection 11 from lever 88 and plunger". I

This reversing valve has a groove or cannelure 18 connectable by conduit 18 with the casing 88 of the rapid traverse plunger element '88. Extending from this casing and at all times in pressure conducting relation with conduit 18 is conduit 8| coupled to the left hand cylinder 82 of the reverser mechanism. A second conduit system comprising line 88 communicating with cannelure 88 on the reversing valve extends by way of casing 80 and conduit 88 to the right hand cylinder 88 of the reversing mechanism.

The reversing mechanism proper comprises a shifter arm 81 coupled with the double face clutch element 81 and carried by a rod 88 slidable in the headed sleeve members 88 which are in turn slidably mounted within the terminal portions of the cylinders 82 and 88 respectively.

As illustrated, lever 88 is shown in a neutral or non-feeding position and clutch 81 is similarly disposed. This is due to the fact that in the neutral position of the reversing valve 18 the ports of lines 18 and 18 simultaneously communicate with the respective cannelures I8 and 88 so that pressure exists in both cylinders 82 and 88. This results in inward forcing of both of the sleeves 88 to their limit of inward movement as illustrated, thus centralizing the shifter arm 81. In the event that valve I8 is moved in either direction from its central position, as for exampie to the right, the central portion of the valve will shut oi! the pressure flow from conduit 18 to conduit 83 and couple conduit 88 through line 88 to reservoir 68. At the same time pressure connection will be maintained between I8 and I8 by way of 18. This pressure will react on the piston element 88, tending to shift same toward the right while the release of pressure in cylinder 88 will permit free movement of the right hand sleeve 89 so that the reverser clutch 81 may be properly shifted into driving engagement with pinion 88. The couple of the parts 'is such that the right hand shifting is effected by a left hand movement of handle 88, the relation of the several parts to the drive transmission being such that a suitable rotation of screw 88 will be effected for movement of the table toward the left. It will be understood that the right hand move.

ment of the lever 88 will effect suitable reversal of the various conduit connections and thus coupling of the clutch element 81 for actuation of the tableto the right.

In the accurate performance of milling operations it is essential that backlash between the table and its actuator be minimised. In performance of milling operations the cutter l8 may be rotated in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction and the feeding action take place toward either the right or the left. This means that in some instances the work is moving against the direction of rotation of the cutter, tending to hold back the feeding movement, while in other instances the cutter'may be working in the direction of feed for what is known as a hook-in cut, accentuating the feeding movement. It is dsirable. in either instance. that any possible backlash of either a constant nature or due to irregularities or speeds in the actuating screw or nut '01 the table be minimized in the direction of cutter thrust so that the nut will be held tightly against the actuating or controlling face of the screw threads.

In the present invention this is effected by forming the block 88 with a cylinder 8| slidably receiving piston 88 which has a central internally threaded bore 88 inter-fitting with screw 88. Block 88 slidably receives one end of the sleeve which operates,,in meet, as a piston rod, and an end block 88, the opposite end of the sleeve. Member 88 is provided with teeth 81 entering inner recesses 88 of the piston element 82 permitting axial movement of the piston with respect to member 88 but preventing .rotative movement thereof. Threaded into the left hand portion of member 88 is the main drive nut I88 interiltting with screw 88 and locked in adjusted position with respect to member 88 as by pin I8l.

From the foregoing it will be noted that the nut element I88 is rigid or, in effect, with the table support or knee of the machine; while the nut 88 has a capacity of limited axial-movement with the screw.- For control of this. movement there are provided conduits I88 and'11l88 communicating respectively with the cylinder chambers I88 and I88, it being understood-that introduction of pressure into either chamber"'.l 88 or ill will effect a corresponding axial urge -of the piston 82 and thus of the screw 88 with respect to the fixed nut and knee, thus holding the one face-oi the screw tightly against its associate element and eliminating backlash therebetween. Conduits I82 and I88 are coupled with selector valve casing I88, containing a valve element I81 actuable as by knob I88. This valve has a central cannelure as at I88 and a pair of terminal cannelures Ill and Ill interconnected as bypassage H8. Coupled into the casing I88 in staggered relation to the connection of the conduits I82 and I88 are conduits H8 and 8 extending respectively to the lower and upper portions of the rapid traverse plunger casing 88. It will be understood by reference to the drawings that in the position of valve I81 shown conduit I82 is connected through cannelure I88 with conduit H8, while conduit I8 is coupled through can- Inthefeedpositionoftberapidtraverseco trolplungerasillustratedinl'lgurcflitwillbe.

noted that conduit 8 iscoupledbycannelure 'mctor, a backlash eliminating device, and a II! with the conduit system ll-8| so that the pressure condition existing in cylinder 82 will likewise existin chamber I00.

correspondingly, conduit I I4 is coupled by cannelure lit with conduit system 888I so that the same pressure condition exists in this conduit as in cylinder 86 and thus correspondingly in cylinder I04.

From the foregoing it will be noted that when effect neutralization of the reverser and at the same time pressure is coupled with both cylinders I04 and I05 so that a balanced pressure condition exists as respects the pistonrfl, and there is no axial urge of screw 48 in one direction or another with respect to nut I00, thus permitting of free manual rotation of the screw for adjustment purposes. 7

It is noted, however, that movement oi valve 18 in either direction from its neutral position will release the pressure from either cylinder 82 or cylinder 88 so that movement of the reverser will be effected by the opposite cylinder and will, at the same time, release the pressure in one or the other of cylinders I04 or I05 depending on the settingoi the selector valve I0'I so that when the machine is feeding there willbe a positive hydraulic pressural urge oi piston 82 in predetermineddirection with respect to the feed, eliminating possibility of backlash between screw 48 and conduit connections 85 and ill, thus blocking on? th pressure control connections between the reversing valve controlled conduits for directional determination and the conduits determinative oi pressural reactions on the backlash mechanism. This movement of the rapid traverse-plunger element, however, will serve respectively to couple th same free floating and relieving all endwise reaction of the hydraulic means on screw as respects nut I00, thus facilitating free rotation oi the screw for rapid traverse purposes. It will be understood that the downward movement of the rapid travers plunger from its rapid traverse to feed pcsition automatically restores the preexisting conduit connections'as respects the backlash eliminating piston 82. 7

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings it will be noted that there has been provided in conjunction with. a supporting element such as the knee of a milling machine having a table mounted thereon, a unitary driving and controlling mechanism carried as an entirety by the supporting element including a motor member mechanically eirective through suitable gearing arrangements for effecting feed and rapid traverse movements of the table or translatable element in both directions, together with a hydraulic control mechanism having a pressure pump operated by the valving mechanism adjustable :ior control of the reactions of the hydraulic pressur medium on the several parts. Said valving mechanism, it will be noted, includes a first means for determining directional actuation of the table with respect to the knee, a second means serially coupled therewith for determining the corresponding or opposite directional reaction of the hydraulic medium on the backlash eliminator incorporated within the drive and "an additional means adjustable to control the coupling of the hydraulic medium, either serially with or eirclusive of certain of the valvemechanisms to render the backlash device efl'ective during certain actuations oi thetable and ineffective during other actuations thereon What is claimed is:

1. In a transmission of the character described, the combination with a mechanical reed rapid traverse drive including a rotatable final element and a member operatively associated therewith for relative translation upon rotation of the parts, of an anti-backlash mechanism including a cylinder having a piston intermediately movable therein and connected with one of said final drive 8 transmission elements for eflecting opposite relative directional urges of the parts dependent on the direction of actuation of the piston, a source of hydraulic pressure medium, conduits intervening said source and the piston andincluding valve members for determining directional urge oi the hydraulic medium as respects the piston, a feedrapid traverse selector, a valvemeans in the hydraulic conduit system coupled with the selector for actuation thereby, said valve means having portions for eifecting corresponding hydraulic connections at opposite sides of the backlash eliminating piston when the selector is in rapid traverse position whereby to nullify the end thrust effect of the piston during rapid traverse operation.-

2. A machine of the character described, in

' eluding a support, an element translatable on the support, means including relatively rotatable nut and screw elements for eflecting translation of the parts, a power transmission for eflecting difierent rates of actuation of the nut and screw mechanism including a rateselector, 9. hydraulically actuable reversing-mechanism, a backlash eliminating mechanism including a reversable hydraulic motor, a source of hydraulic medium under pressure, a reversing valve shiftable to reverse the efiect of the hydraulic medium as respects the reverser and a control valve having a first series of conduits coupled with the reversing valve, a second series of conduits directly con- 1 nected with the source of hydraulic medium and rection determining valve.

a third series of conduits connected with the hydraulic backlash motor, said control valve having portions alternately positionable to connectthe first or second series'oi conduits with the third series of conduits to determine the reaction of the hydraulic medium on the backlash eliminating motor either inclusive or exclusive of the di- '3. A machine of the character described, ineluding a support, an element translatable on the support, means including relatively rotatable nut and screw elementsfor efiecting translation of the parts, a power transmission for eflecting different rates of actuation, of the nut and screw mechanism including a rate selector, a hydraulically actuable reversing motor, a backlash eliminating mechanism including a reversable hydraulic motor, a source of hydraulic medium under pressure, a first reversing valve shiitable to reversethe efiect oi the hydraulic medium as respects the reversing motor and a control valve having a first series of conduits coupled with the reversing valve, a second series of conduits directly connected with the source 01' hydraulic medium and a third series of conduits connected with the hydraulic backlash motor, said control valve having portions alternately positionable to connect the first or second series 01' conduits with the third series of conduits to determine the reaction ofthe hydraulic medium on the backlash eliminating motor either inclusive or exclusive of the direction determining valve, and operative connections between the rate selector and said see ers means on the translatable member for efiectina positive shifting of the hydraulic medium selecting valve and its associate parts.

-6. A directionally efiective backlash eliminating mechanism for a machine tool drive transmission including a reversible hydraulic backlash eliminator motor, a source or hydraulic medium, first and second reversing valves intervening the source of hydraulic medium and the motor. a selector valve intervening the reverser valves having a first position eflecting a serial coupling of the valves and a second position efiecting a coupling valve for effecting the respective positionings thereof in accordance with the movement or the rate selector.

4. A machine of the character described, including a support, an element translatable on the support, means including relatively rotatable nut and screw elements for efiecting translation of the parts, a power transmission for effecting difierent rates of actuation of the nut and screw mechanism including a rate selector, a hydraulically actuable reversing motor, a backlash eliminating mechanism including a reversable hydraulic motor, a source of hydraulic medium under ressure, a first reversing valve shii'table to reverse the eflect of the hydraulic medium as respects the reversing motor and a control valve having a first series of conduits coupled with the reversing valve, a second series oi conduits directly connected with the source of hydraulic medium and a third series of conduits connected with the hydraulic backlash motor, said control valve having portions alternatel positionable to connect the, first or second series of conduits with the third series of conduits to determine the reaction of the hydraulic medium on the backlash eliminating motor either inclusive or exclusive oi the direction determining valve, and a reversing valve in the third set oi! conduits intervening the hydraulic pressure control valve and the backlash eliminating motor for reversing the efiect or the medium as respects the backlash motor.

5. A machine of the character described, including a support, an element translatable on the support, means including relatively rotatable nut and screw elements for effecting translation of the parts, a power transmission for electing ditierent rates 01' actuation oi the nut and screw mechanism including a rate selector, 9. hydraulically actuable reversing mechanism, a backlash eliminating mechanism including a reversible hydraulic motor, a source of hydraulic medium under pressure, a reversing valve shiitable to reverse the efi'ect of the hydraulic medium as respects the reverser and a control valve having a first series oi conduits coupled with the reversing valve, a second series 0! conduits directly connected with the source of hydraulic medium and a third series of conduits connected with the hydraulic backlash motor, said control valve having portions alternately positionable to connect the first or second series of conduits with the third series of conduits to determine the reaction of the hydraulic medium on the backlash eliminating motor either inclusive or exclusive of the direction determining valve, and operative connections between the rate selector and said valve for eflecting the respective positionings thereof in accordance with the movement or the rate selector, and

of the hydraulic medium to the second valve exelusive of the first reversing valve to neutralize the hydraulic reaction of the medium on the backlash motor.

7. A machine of the character described, including a support, an element translatable on the support, means including relatively'rotatable nut and screw elements for efi'ecting translation of the parts, a power transmission for effecting diiierent rates of actuation of the nut and screw mechanism including a rate selector, a hydraulically actuable reversing motor, a backlash eliminating mechanism including a reversible hydraulic motor, a source 01' hydraulic medium under pressure, a first reversing valve shiitable to reverse the efiect of the hydraulic medium as respects the reversing motor and a control valve having a first series of conduits coupled with the reversing valve, a second. series oi conduits directly connected with the source of hydraulic medium and a third seriesoi conduits connected with the hydraulic backlash motor, said control valve having portions alternately positionable to connect the first or second series of conduits with the third series of conduits to determine the re-' action 01' the hydraulic medium on the backlash eliminating motor either inclusive or exclusive of the direction determining valve, and a reversing valve in the third set of conduits intervening the hydraulic pressure control valve and the backlash eliminating motor for reversin the eflect or the medium as respects the backlash motor, said first reversing valve having portions effective in an intermediate position to connect the hydraulic pressure medium simultaneousl with both acti- 7 vatable portions of the hydraulic motors controlled thereby.

8. In a milling machine having a column, a knee mounted on the column and a table re-' ciprocably mounted on the knee, the combination 01' a transmission and control mechanism for the table contained entirely in the knee and including a prime mover, a feed-rapid traverse transmission coupling the prime mover for actuation of the table and including a backlash eliminating device, said transmission including a reverser and a directional control lever therefor, motion transmitting connections responsive to the direction of movement of said lever to render said eliminator eflective in accordance with the direction of table travel, a rapid traverse clutch for said transmission, a control lever for engaging said clutch, resiliently operable means for maintaining said clutch and lever in an inoperative position, and means controlled by said lever upon movement to a rapid traverse position for neutralizing the effect of the directional control lever upon said eliminator whereby it is ineffective during rapid traverse movement oi the table.

FRED A. HASSMAN. 

